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Planning Commission <br /> May 8,2001 <br /> Page 5 <br /> • 4. Townhome Development Moratorium-Public Hearing <br /> Chair Pederson relinquished the gavel to Vice Chair Baker and stepped down at <br /> this time. <br /> Director of Planning Michele McPherson explained that at its April 9th meeting, the <br /> City Council directed staff to draft an ordinance establishing a moratorium on <br /> townhome developments in the City of Elk River. The purpose of the moratorium <br /> is to provide staff adequate time to draft a revised ordinance to address density, <br /> building materials, open space, pedestrian connections and building setbacks. <br /> No townhome development applications will be accepted during the <br /> moratorium period. Ms. McPherson noted that letter was received from John <br /> Peterson of Oakwood Land Development, requesting a waiver from the <br /> moratorium restriction for the Elk River Station development proposal. <br /> Vice Chair Baker opened the public hearing. <br /> John Peterson, Oakwood Land Development, stated that his group has been <br /> working with the City on a proposal to develop a 75 acre site owned by Leonard <br /> Pratt and that he will be closing on the property Wednesday, May 9th. When he <br /> began working with the City, he was told that the existing townhome ordinance <br /> was outdated and that he may wish to develop the property under the PUD <br /> (Planned Unit Development) ordinance. He stated even with a new townhome <br /> ordinance, they could design a better project under the PUD guidelines. The City <br /> will have the ultimate authority on the design standards. He requested that the <br /> • Elk River Station project be waived. <br /> Commissioner Baker asked Mr. Peterson what his timeline was for the project <br /> schedule. Mr. Peterson stated that he was prepared to submit his application for <br /> the April 30th deadline when he received notification of the moratorium. If his <br /> project were waived from inclusion in the moratorium, he would be able to <br /> submit his application within a matter of days. He noted that he would like to <br /> start work in the fall. <br /> Don Patten, Vice President of D.R. Horton(Trout Brook Farms), stated that he is also <br /> requesting a waiver from the moratorium in order to develop the recently <br /> purchased Stoffel Reitsma property. Mr. Patten explained that they will be <br /> requesting a rezoning to PUD in order to develop the site with single family and <br /> multi-family housing. He stated they currently have 108 units under construction in <br /> the$120,000-$150,000 range. The "coach" 4-plexes will sell for$250,000. He <br /> stated that of the 60 villas sold, there are only 10 children. 35 of the 70 units have <br /> been sold to seniors and there are only 4 children. He stated that they will be out <br /> of product in 180 days if they are not allowed to continue development of the <br /> Reitsma property. He stated that the construction type will be the same as what <br /> is currently being constructed in Trout Brook Farms. <br /> Chair Pederson closed the public hearing. <br /> Commissioner Baker asked how staff felt about the requests for waivers from the <br /> moratorium. Ms. McPherson explained that Mr. Peterson's group (Elk River Station, <br /> • LLP) has already been before the Planning Commission and City Council. There is <br /> a commercial component to their project, in addition to townhomes. She stated <br />